Millward, who had fought a battle with cancer in recent years, died last month at the age of 68.

Many fans were sporting the colours of Hull Kingston Rovers, the club where he wrote his name into rugby league folklore after joining from hometown side Castleford in 1966.

In a moving touch, a Hull KR shirt bearing Millward’s famous number six was draped on his coffin as it was carried into the church. Familiar rugby faces in attendance alongside Millward’s widow, Carol, included Neil Fox, John Joyner, Garry Schofield, Daryl Powell, David Oxley, Danny Orr, Lee Crooks, Mike Stephenson and Johnny Whiteley.

He was awarded an MBE in 1983 and scored a club record 207 tries and 607 goals for Hull KR, leading them to trophies as captain and as coach.